GOD BLESS AMERICA! Today, we celebrate the birth of our nation — complete with all its foibles and faults but also its precious freedoms.
Today, and in the week ahead, make sure to enjoy the fireworks, barbecues, family picnics and stirring patriotic music.
Remember to go out and enjoy the freedom of dancing and listening to your favorite live music, wherever you can find it.
O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light . . .
Port Angeles
— Tonight at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, Jerry’s Country Jam once again features guest vocalist Jim Lind singing your favorite old country songs from 5 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
On Saturday, the Sequim-based Southern rock band Testify will rock you on the waterfront from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
— The Junction Roadhouse, at the junction of U.S. Highway 101 and State Highway 112, five miles west of Port Angeles, is closed tonight in honor of Independence Day.
On Friday though, the roadhouse welcomes back Washington honky-tonk heroes, the Shivering Denizens. They’ll be playing original outlaw country and rockabilly from 8 p.m. to midnight. $5 cover.
Be sane and be safe — All Points Charters and Tours will offer a free ride out and back Friday night. Reach them at 360-775-9128 or 360-460-7131.
On Saturday, Eggplant plays rock, blues and spacey jams from 8 p.m. to midnight. Cover.
On Wednesday, regulars Joy in Mudville will play folky, funky original tunes and covers, starting around 7:30 p.m.
— Today, drift away to the islands at Elliott’s Antique Emporium, 135 E. First St., with Hawaii Amor entertaining customers and passers-by between noon and 5 p.m.
— Tonight at Barhop Brewing, 124 W. Railroad Ave., five-piece jam band Chesnut Junction plays Ches Ferguson originals and classic rock covers from 8 p.m. to midnight, with a break at dusk for the Port Angeles fireworks display.
On Friday, R&B (Rachael and Barry) play classic rock and Motown from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
— On Friday at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., the Hookys play “party rock” — their original blend of rock, hip-hop and reggae — starting at 9 p.m. $3 cover.
— On Friday at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, the Old Tyme Country Band plays classic country music from the ’40s and ’50s from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, all are welcome to join the country jam from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
— Every Tuesday evening at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St., Wally’s Boys play ballroom dance favorites from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There’s a $5 cover, but first-time ballroom dancers are always free.
— This weekend, Dupuis Restaurant, 256861 U.S. Highway 101, features Bob & Dave playing the blues from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Sequim and Blyn
— On Friday at the Oasis Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., the Discovery Bay Pirates play Irish pub songs and sea chanteys from 5:30 p.m. to
8:30 p.m.
— On Saturday, rock out to Black Rock from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Wednesday, Final Approach lands with a load of “boomer rock” — hits from the ’50s through the ’70s — from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
— Tonight at Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., Cort Armstrong and Friends continue their Thursday night run at the tasting room, playing country blues and more from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Craig Buhler and Co. play West Coast-style jazz from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
— On Friday at Rainshadow Coffee, 157 W. Cedar St., Mary Tulin and Mike Saunders will perform Irish and Scottish songs and tunes with fiddle, guitar and bouzouki from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
— It’s All the Buzz on Wednesday at the Sequim Senior Activity Center, 921 E. Hammond St., when Victor Reventlow hosts an open mic night from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
— On Friday at Club Seven lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, enjoy hits from the classic rock catalog with Seattle’s Chrome Molly. These guys (and gal) can play everything from AC/DC to ZZ Top — and they just might — from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, it’s a “Saturday Night Special” with Whiskey River from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Step back in time about 35 years with the 10-member crew who have been dubbed “America’s No. 1 Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band.”
On Sunday, Denny Secord Jr. and Haywire will bring out your country pride from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
— On Friday in the Rainforest Bar, cold drinks are served alongside even cooler music from Joey James Dean from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
— On Saturday in the Rainforest, Al Harris and Sarah Shea jazz it up from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
— On Friday at Krush, 10181 Old Olympic Highway, the Old Sidekicks will have your toes tapping and your hands clapping from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Hadlock
— On Saturday at the Ajax Café, 21 N. Water St., R&B (Rachael and Barry) cover classic rock and Motown hits from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Ludlow
— On Friday at the Resort at Port Ludlow’s Fireside Restaurant, 1 Heron Road, Trevor Hanson performs classical selections on guitar from 4 p.m. to
8 p.m.
Port Townsend
— On Friday at Sirens Pub, 823 Water St., The Pitfalls open up for the Los Angeles indie-rock band Anonymous IV. The music starts at 10 p.m., and there’s a $5 cover.
On Saturday, Seattle trio The Blakes will rock Port Townsend starting at 10 p.m., playing dirty rock ‘n’ roll that is equal parts simple, scorching and swaggering. $7 cover.
— On Friday at Port Townsend Brewing, 330 10th St., Janie Cribbs (vocals, keys and percussion) and Joe Reggiatore (acoustic and electric guitars) play original roots rock and more from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the beer garden.
On Sunday, it’s an afternoon delight with Pies on the Run playing western swing and bluegrass from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. You may even hear a bit of yodeling.
On Wednesday, it’s The Pitfalls, with their brand of guitar-based, danceable rock ‘n’ roll originals and covers. They’ll have you moving and grooving out in the beer garden from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
— On Friday at the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., Meredith plays and sings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by Simon Lynge from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Saturday, it’s a triple bill of eclectic and original Port Townsend music, featuring the Black Chevys, Owl Service and Lifestyles of the Poor and Unknown. There is no cover charge, and the music starts around 9 p.m.
— On Saturday at April Fool & Penny Too, 725 Water St., the clarinet combo Toot Sweet will perform from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of this month’s Gallery Walk.
— On Saturday at The Pourhouse, 2231 Washington St., Locos Only plays folk, rock, country, blues and gospel — also known as “roots in a blender” — from 5 p.m. to
8 p.m. in the beer garden.
— Steve Grandinetti plays guitar and sings at the Northwest Maritime Center Café, 431 Water St., today and Friday from noon until 2 p.m.
— Steve also plays the Owl Sprit Café, 218 Polk St., tonight from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
— Every Monday, solo guitarist Trevor Hanson plays at Alchemy, 842 Washington St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Community concerts
— On Tuesday, Sequim’s Music in the Park Series features Kevin Lee Magner and the rest of Locos Only. The free outdoor show at the James Center for the Performing Arts, 202 N. Blake Ave., runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
— On Wednesday in Port Angeles, the Concert on the Pier Series presents the Dukes of Dabob, playing Dixieland jazz from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Public markets
— On Saturday, Thom Davis (guitar/vocals) and Cory Crozier (harmonica) entertain from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Port Angeles Farmers Market, held in the Gateway Transit Center at Front and Lincoln streets.
— On Saturday at Sequim’s Open Aire Market, on Cedar Street between Second and Sequim avenues, Cort Armstrong and Jim Faddis will be singing and picking guitars from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Independence Day
— Today in Port Angeles, the Red Lion Hotel presents free outdoor music at the City Pier starting at 7 p.m. Dave and Rosalie Secord’s Luck of the Draw Band take the stage first, followed by the The Hookys.
The fireworks show, sponsored by Wave Broadband, blasts off around 10 p.m.
— Today in Sequim, the James Center for the Performing Arts, 202 N. Blake Ave., hosts an afternoon filled with music, featuring Dukes of Dabob, No Batteries Required, Old Time Fiddlers and The Marmalades.
Sequim’s Old-Fashioned Town Picnic starts at 10 a.m., the musical performances start at 11 a.m., and the 60-piece Sequim City Band highlights the festivities with a traditional patriotic concert at 3 p.m.
High Notes
— On Friday, you won’t want to miss the “Street Dance of the Century” from 6 p.m. to
10 p.m., part of Sequim’s Centennial Celebration. Don’t forget to wear your best ’60s or ’70s duds — there will be prizes for the grooviest garb — and twist and shout to the retro rock ‘n’ roll of the Guy Johnson Band and Magic Bus.
— On Friday in eastern Jefferson County, enjoy the music of the Army National Guard Brass Band from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fort Flagler State Park, 10541 Flagler Road, Nordland.
— During this long holiday weekend, avoid being a Low Note. Enjoy yourself, but please stay safe, especially out there on the roads.
John Nelson is a self-styled music lover and compulsive night owl who believes in “Keep Live Music Alive” on the North Olympic Peninsula. His column, Live Music, appears every Thursday.
Are you performing in or promoting a live music gig? Contact John by phoning 360-565-1139 or e-mailing news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: John Nelson).
Also, check out “Nightlife,” a listing of entertainment at nightspots across the Peninsula, in Friday’s Peninsula Spotlight magazine.
